U.S. patent application number 11/549051 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for ultrasonic or heat staking attachment or plant tag.
Invention is credited to Walter J. Hall.
Application Number | 20070079536 11/549051 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37944241 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070079536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; Walter J. |
April 12, 2007 |
Ultrasonic or heat staking attachment or plant tag
Abstract
The present invention relates to affixing identification tags to
a container. More specifically, the present invention relates to
affixing a plastic identification tag to a plant container using
ultrasonic welding and/or heat staking. A plastic stud may exist
that extends from either the tag or the container through a hole or
recess in the other of the tag or container. The stud is then
deformed via ultrasonic welding or heat staking to secure the tag
to the container. The tag may be affixed without the use of a stud
via ultrasonic welding and/or heat staking.
Inventors: |
Hall; Walter J.; (Canton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP
One GOJO Plaza
Suite 300
AKRON
OH
44311-1076
US
|
Family ID: |
37944241 |
Appl. No.: |
11/549051 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60725821 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/299.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 3/10 20130101; G09F
3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
040/299.01 |
International
Class: |
G09F 3/10 20060101
G09F003/10 |
Claims
1. A plant identifying tag comprising: a first surface and a second
surface; and, a plastic container-securing stud extending from the
first surface.
2. The plant tag recited in claim 1 further comprising: a plant
identification indicia emanating from the first and/or second
surface.
3. The plant tag recited in claim 2, wherein the plant
identification indicia is printed upon or formed within the first
and/or second surface.
4. The plant tag recited in claim 1, wherein the plant tag is made
of plastic.
5. The plant tag recited in claim 1, further comprising a second
plastic container-securing stud extending from the first
surface.
6. A plant identifying container comprising: a plant container;
and, a plant identifying tag, wherein the container and tag each
have an engaging element for securing the tag to the container, one
engaging element comprising a plastic projection and the other
engaging element comprising a void, the projection engaging the
void and being deformed to resist disengagement.
7. The plant identifying container recited in claim 6, wherein the
void is a hole.
8. The plant identifying container recited in claim 6, wherein the
projection is deformed by applying a force to plastic softened by
ultrasonic energy or heat.
9. The plant identifying container of claim 8, wherein the
application of ultrasonic energy or heat provides a chemical bond
between the container and the tag.
10. The plant identifying container of claim 6, wherein the
container is formed of plastic.
11. The plant identifying container of claim 6, wherein the tag is
formed of plastic.
12. The plant identifying container of claim 6, wherein the tag and
the container each have multiple engaging elements.
13. A method of providing a plant identifying container comprising
the steps of: providing a plant container; providing a plant tag;
and, applying ultrasonic energy or heat to attach the tag to the
container.
14. The method recited in claim 13, wherein the attached portion
the container is formed of a first plastic and the attached portion
of the tag is formed of a second plastic.
15. The method recited in claim 13, wherein the container and tag
each have an engaging element for securing the tag to the
container, one engaging element comprising a plastic projection and
the other engaging element comprising a void, and the method
further comprising the step of: inserting the projection into the
void, wherein the step of applying energy or heat includes
deforming a portion of the projection to resist removal of the
projection from the void.
16. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the void is a hole and
the deformed portion of the projection is a head that is shaped to
resist passage through the hole.
17. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the container is formed
of a first plastic and the tag is formed of a second plastic.
18. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the projection is
formed integral with the tag.
19. The method recited in claim 13, wherein the application of
ultrasonic energy or heat forms a chemical bond between a portion
of the tag and a portion of the container.
20. The method recited in claim 15, wherein the container and tag
each have multiple engaging elements.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
Ser. No. 60/725,821, filed Oct. 12, 2005, the disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Plant identification tags are a convenient method, and
perhaps even a necessity, in terms of identifying sundry plants in
whatever setting they may be available for sale. These tags
certainly reduce consumer frustration, and save employees from the
daunting task of remembering all the information associated with
the potential multitude of a proprietor's displayed plants. Plant
tags come in various shapes and sizes, but contain the same basic
plant identifying information, which of course changes with the
specific plant. Many tags contain a tapered lower end for inserting
in a container slit or directing into the planting medium.
Typically, the front of a tag lists the plant's common and
scientific names and summarizes key information about it. An
accompanying close-up color photo commonly shows the plant's
flowers and foliage as they appear at maturity. The reverse side of
the tag is usually devoted to more specific details on how to
transplant and care for the plant, or it might provide specific
features and favored uses of the plant.
[0003] Currently most proprietors place plant identification tags
into a slit within the pot, stick the tag into the plant media
surrounding the plant, or attach the tag directly to the plant.
Often this requires a more complicated and thus potentially more
expensive pot design and/or pot manufacture. Further, whether the
identification tag is placed in a slit, in the plant media, or on
the plant, it can be readily removed. Currently, this is a
disadvantage because a dishonest consumer has the ability to
quickly exchange tags from a less expensive plant to the desired
more expensive plant. In such a scenario, other consumers can
potentially be affected by unwittingly purchasing the wrong plant
at a higher than marketed price. Moreover, the store's profits can
be negatively affected, and unfortunately, that store might seek to
shield its profits and mitigate such potential losses, by passing
them on to all its future customers in the form of higher prices.
Some consumers might even blame the store for unscrupulously
misrepresenting its products. Often, these stores may be forced to
accept such blame and its associated negativity, particularly if
they are unaware of the true source of the error. Still further,
easily removable tags make inventory management, security, and
logistics/shipment tracking more difficult. Finally, providing a
container with loose or easily removable tag prevents the container
supplier from fulfilling a customer's desire to obtain a durable
and integrated plant-identifying container.
[0004] Additionally, directing the pointed end associated with many
plant tags, into the plant's media, has the potential to damage the
plant's roots. In addition, placing a tag on the plant itself, adds
an unwelcome and unnecessary load. This can also burden a fragile
plant and produce needless damage.
[0005] As such, one solution would be to attach identification tags
directly to plant containers. When so attached, tags cannot be
readily removed. Therefore, there is a need to provide an
effective, efficient, system that allows consumers to accurately
and confidently identify plants and/or flowers before making a
purchase. The foregoing illustrates some conditions and limitations
known to exist in the present garden store environment. Thus, it is
apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative
directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth
above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including
features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY
[0006] In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a
plant identifying tag comprising: a first surface and a second
surface; and, a plastic container-securing stud extending from the
first surface.
[0007] In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a
plant identifying container comprising: a plant container; and, a
plant identifying tag, wherein the container and tag each have an
engaging element for securing the tag to the container, one
engaging element comprising a plastic projection and the other
engaging element comprising a void, the projection engaging the
void and being deformed to resist disengagement.
[0008] In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a
method of providing a plant identifying container comprising the
steps of: providing a plant container; providing a plant tag; and,
applying ultrasonic energy or heat to attach the tag to the
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, wherein identical parts are
identified with identical reference numerals are intended to
facilitate an understanding of the concept described
thereafter:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a typical plastic plant
container;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a plant identification tag
suitable for use with the present attachment method;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an underside view of a plant identification tag
suitable for use with the present attachment method;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a plant identification
tag affixed to a plant container according to an embodiment of the
present concept;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a plant container with
holes for inserting plant-identification-tag studs, as in one
embodiment of the concept;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of the plant
container and studded plant identification tag consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention; and,
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of tag secured to a
container via a stud, consistent with the embodiment of FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following detailed description sets forth alternate
embodiments for apparatuses and methods of affixing identification
tags to containers, including, but not limited to, plastic
identification tags and containers and plant identification tags
and containers, such as, but not limited to, flats and pots. In one
embodiment, the container is a plant container constructed of
plastic materials, and more specifically in another embodiment of
thermoform plastic; however, it may be constructed of any materials
suitable for joining with the plant identification tag. This
description should not be interpreted as limiting the use of the
invention to this particular application. Further, reference is
made to the accompanying pictures, diagrams, and/or figures, which,
in conjunction with this detailed description, illustrate and
describe the methods of affixing an identification tag to a plant
container. The invention may be embodied in many different forms
and should not be construed as limited only to the disclosed
embodiments.
[0018] The present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7. The present
invention provides a typical plant container 10, which may or may
not include an upper rim 12. Further, the present invention
provides a plant tag 2 that will be suitable for attaching to plant
container 10, and may have plant identifying indicia on either of
or both of the front side 22 and the back side 20 of the tag 14.
FIG. 2 shows the front side of a representative plant tag 14, while
FIG. 3 shows the underside 20 of a representative plant
identification tag 14. Such plant tags can generally be devoid of
the usual tapered end or spade, and can be of any size or shape
that can fit on container's 10 outer surface 18, with the
functional constraint that its area must be less than the outer
surficial area of the associated container 10. Tag 14 may include a
radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a barcode, either
being located on the surface or within identification tag 14, for
the purposes of improving inventory management, security, and/or
logisitics/shipment tracking. The identification tag 14 can be
positioned against the front side 22 or the back side 20 of the
container 10. The tag 14 may or may not be attached to the rim 12
of the plant container 10. With the back side 20 of the tag 14
positioned against the outer surface of the container 10, the front
side 22 of tag 14 and its plant and/or flower identifying
information 24 will be visible. It is contemplated that other
arrangements may be used, such as, but not limited to, attaching
the tag 14 to an inside surface of container 10.
[0019] In one embodiment, the tag 14 may be affixed to the plant
container 10 in this orientation using ultrasonic bonding (welding)
and/or heat staking (collectively referred to as "staking"), or any
other comparable plastic joining technique. Generally, ultrasonic
bonding transmits ultrasonic pulses or waves, such as via a horn or
probe, causing two adjacent plastic parts to vibrate. Although any
frequency may be used, common frequencies typically range between
18 and 50 kHz. The vibration excites the atoms and/or molecules of
the parts and generates heat, causing the respective parts to fuse
together. Pressure may be applied to improve the bonding process.
Consequently, the resulting join may comprise either or both of an
atomic/molecular bond (hereinafter referred to collectively as a
"chemical bond") and a mechanical bond, each of which may be
strengthened or otherwise improved by also deforming the bonding
area during the staking process. A chemical bond is most easily
generated between parts formed from similar plastics. As an
alternative to ultrasonic energy, heat can be applied to the
respective plastic parts to generate the same bond--which is called
heat staking. Heat staking may be performed by using a compression
probe, a horn, or any other device as required by the specific
application. Ultrasonic welding is more easily controlled in that
it can be better directed and limited to a certain desired area, in
comparison to heat staking, which is more difficult to constrain in
and direct to a certain area. Cycles times for ultrasonic staking
may be 2.5 to 5 times less than heat staking. The use of heat and
ultrasonic energy widens the application of staking to include a
broader range of thermoplastic materials and glass-filled
materials, which has not been possible with cold staking (which
does not use heat). Staking also has the advantage that parts can
be disassembled.
[0020] In another embodiment, ultrasonic bonding and heat staking
may be used in conjunction with a stud 26 to provide an additional
mechanical lock (interference fit) between the respective plastic
parts. A stud 26 may be formed on one plastic component (on either
or both of the tag 14 and the container 10), which is then inserted
through a hole in a second plastic component. Subsequently, the
stud 26 is deformed to form a head 30 on the side opposite the
first component, thereby mechanically locking the two components
together. The stud 26 may be molded or otherwise formed with the
plastic component, or it may be added after the plastic part has
already been formed. Moreover, a single operation may exist, where
the stud 26 is formed and subsequently deformed into a head to join
respective parts. After the stud 26 is inserted into a hole 28,
staking (ultrasonic welding and/or heat staking) softens a portion
of the stud. A user then deforms the stud 26 to form the head 30 by
applying pressure to the stud 26 via the probe or horn. This formed
head 30 provides a mechanical lock (or interference fit) between
the plastic parts, which may be additional to any mechanical and/or
chemical bond created between the parts via ultrasonic welding
and/or heat staking techniques. Head 30 may be of any shape so long
as it provides a shape that resists entry through the hole 28
(resists removal of the tag 14 from the container 10). It is also
contemplated that the head 30 may not be located at the terminal
end of the stud 26, and instead comprise any portion of the stud
26--meaning that an intermediate portion of the stud 26 may be
deformed as described herein to resist removal of the tag 14 from
the container 10. Heat staking provides the flexibility to allow
the simultaneous formation of heads 30 on multiple studs 26 and to
accommodate a variety of head/stud designs. The use of the stud 26
with the staking techniques identified above has the ability to
join plastic to other materials, such as metal or to join
dissimilar plastics. The choice of which staking process to use
relates to the particular materials that require joining, the
overall force to which the assembly will be subjected, and any
required cosmetic appearance. One obvious advantage of this concept
over mechanical joining methods, is the elimination of additional
materials such as rivets and screws. It is also contemplated that
the stud 26 may engage a recess in the container 10, whereby the
ultrasonic welding or heat staking is used to form a head 30 by
deforming both a portion of the recess and the stud, thereby
joining the tag 14 to the container 10. The recess and the hole can
be generally referred to as voids.
[0021] It is contemplated that one or more protruding studs 26 can
be formed onto the identification tags and the stud(s) can be
inserted into one or more corresponding holes 28 in the plant
container. Alternatively, studs 26 can be formed onto the plant
container 10 and thereafter inserted into the plant identification
tag 14. The attachment locations, whether via staking or staking
with studs, can be the point(s) 16 on the tag 14 within tag's upper
portion, at back of tag 14. It is also contemplated that a single
attachment point, most likely near the top central portion of tag,
can be used, particularly if a relatively elongated stud is used.
Nevertheless, two or more points, most likely distributed across
the top portion of tag, will provide a more secure bond and reduce
the chances of dislocation and the need for reattachment. The
corresponding attachment location on the plant container 10 will be
its upper portion or rim 12, at the location of holes 28, as shown
in FIG. 5. A plastic tag 14 construction will allow for some
malleability and the slight concave bending of tag 14 to conform to
and accommodate the circular structure of a typical plant container
10. Of course, plant containers 10 may be of any shape, and its
shape will have no bearing on the feasibility and manner of
attachment. The described method of attachment will facilitate
affixing tags 14 to containers 10, even when such containers are
already occupied with dirt or a plant.
[0022] Applicant has contemplated alternate methods of conducting
the steps required to form a completed product. It is contemplated
that either the studding, hole formation, and bonding processes
could be completed in close proximity in terms of time and location
and as part of one process, or the formation of the studs, the
introduction of the corresponding holes for fitting the studs, the
later affixing, and/or any other required process(es), could be
completed separately by incorporating each process into sequential
or even simultaneous but separate in-line processes.
[0023] The present invention, in which identification tags are
temporarily or permanently affixed to the plant container, will
make it unnecessary to use pot slits, the surrounding plant media,
or the plant itself, for inserting or attaching plant
identification tags. In using ultrasonic or heat bonding or
staking, the plant identification tags will be securely attached to
the appropriate container. Moreover, in the present concept, the
tags are designed for easy removal by the consumer, after purchase
of the associated plant. Although these pre-attached tags can also
be removed by in-store consumers, without any purchase, such
consumers will have little incentive to do so because they will be
unable to readily reattach the removed tag to another plant
container. Moreover, consumers will easily recognize this lack of
easy transferability between plants or plant containers.
[0024] Nevertheless, one might envision that if a cashier discovers
a previously secured tag loosely stuck in the plant's surrounding
dirt, such an employee will be expected to verify whether the loose
tag is properly matched with the plant being purchased. Generally,
due to the present design, there should not be a need for many
reattachments, but a store could arrange to have any loose tags
reattached either internally or via an external contractor. Since
tags can be welded (staked) to the pot, with or without dirt or the
plant inside, making such reattachments will not be burdensome.
[0025] Additionally, as in the case of the derived benefit of a
less complicated pot design, plant identification tags that can be
permanently affixed will be simpler to manufacture due to their
lack of a tapered or spade portion that is usually required for
inserting in the container slot, or in the enclosed dirt. Thus, due
to its simpler design potential, we should expect tag manufacturer
cost savings that can be passed on to retailers, and ultimately to
consumers. Moreover, since tags can be attached directly to a plant
pot, the present concept could facilitate the sale of specially
designed pots and attached tags, that can be promoted as being best
suited for a particular variety of plant, or specialized tag-pot
combinations. Notably, many consumers save the tags that accompany
plants as a valuable reference over many seasons as the plants grow
and bloom. Some have even recommended the storing of tags in small
picture albums. It should therefore be much easier to collect and
store tags that do not possess an elongated spade feature, and/or
where it is unnecessary to remove such a structure.
[0026] Further, securing plant identification tags to containers in
accordance with this invention will facilitate and improve
inventory management, security, and logistics/shipment tracking of
the tagged containers (with or without plants). Also, plant
container suppliers may now better meet customer fulfillment
requirements by now having the capability to ship containers having
secured identification tags.
[0027] To illustrate the invention, it is described with respect to
specified embodiments. This is not intended as a limitation, and
other modifications or variations to the specific apparatuses and
methods described will be apparent to those skilled in the art and
will fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *